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Level 1

0 points

Incorrect Number of File Hard Links.

I decided to run the Disk Utility to see if some issues that I was having with my computer freezing was due to incorrect file permissions. I repaired my disk permissions, but then I decided to check the disk itself. I did the Verify Disk option, and found that the utility gave me an error about an incorrect number of file hard links. It recommended that I boot to the recovery partition and run the Disk Utility from there to repair. I was able to get into the recovery partition and repair the problem.

My question is, what exactly does this mean? Does this mean the hard disk is starting to fail? Or is this related to a filesystem error? I am guessing this is more of some kind of filesystem corruption since the utility was able to fix it. Can anyone tell me for sure?

Thanks!

MacBook Pro, OS X Mountain Lion (10.8.4)

Posted on Aug 18, 2013 7:53 PM

19 replies

neffect

Level 1

0 points

Aug 9, 2015 1:04 AM in response to mrsone

I had this problem, I've followed this issue for months, and at last, I think I know where exactly the problem is.

I have 2 Mac, one is Macbook Air 13 (2013), another is Macbook Pro 15(2015), I had the SSD of my Macbook Air changed from Apple this March, and I'm using Mac OS X Yosemite 10.10.4, and all of my MacBooks had the same issue that you mentioned, every time I use Disk Utility to verify the disk, I noticed specially when it runs "Checking multi-linked files." it will report "Incorrect number of file hard links"

I tried to reinstall OS X , it didn't fix

I uninstalled Paragon NTFS for Mac, it didn't help either

I tried only using the apps from MAS, and the issue still came out.

Some one said it's the problem of the "FileVault", I disabled "Filevault", and no, still "Incorrect number of file hard links".

At last I tried this, IT DOES REALLY WORK, I formatted the disk, but instead of choosing the format "Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted) ", I chose "Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted) ", and now it doesn't show "Incorrect number of file hard links" after reinstalling for more than 48hrs, I didn't turn on the "FileVault", I believe it would be good even if I turn it on, I contacted some of my friends who don't have this issue, I asked them about their format of disk, and the status of their FileVault, the answer is they are using Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted) but not Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted), some are using FileVault some are not.

So, I believe "Incorrect number of file hard links" was caused by the disk format "Mac OS Extended (Journaled, Encrypted) ".

PM-R

Level 1

4 points

Sep 18, 2015 1:14 PM in response to neffect

Maybe you could explain a bit better and more carefully what you really did to "fix" the "Incorrect number of file hard links" problem, but what you have written doesn't make any sense at all.

I cannot translate what you might have done. And changing X format for X format sure isn't going to help fix anything that I can see. 😕

Oct 1, 2015 7:08 AM in response to Linc Davis

Dear MR. Linc Davis:

I just got my Mac Book Pro last year and this problem just arouse "Incorrect Number of File Hard Links". I tried to fix it with the Disk Utility and have not being able to. For what I have read I need to take the Mac Book Pro to the apple store so the disk is replaced? Is that correct? With a register clean, can I fix it? Do you have a free app that I can run to see if I can fix the problem. Thanks.

PM-R

Level 1

4 points

Oct 1, 2015 10:07 AM in response to GuillermoBW

I'm not Linc Davis but I ended up with this same "Incorrect Number of File Hard Links" problem a month or so ago on my OS X Mavericks 10.9.5 partition.

It can be "fixed" using the Disk Utility and its Repair option when booted from the Recovery HD, or another compatible boot volume but the "repair/fix" doesn't last for me when checking after booting from the normal volume. Likewise the Rebuild repair using DiskWarrior doesn't stick, so I'm not worrying about it too much as my 2011 iMac runs just fine.

In my case the problem is probably NOT due to any failing hard drive as the problem exists on two other drives with a clone created with Carbon Copy Cloner.

I hope this helps a bit, but so far I have not been able to find a genuine fix that remains fixed after a restart.

I might try an install of the recent OS X El Capitan 10.11 release on one of the backup volumes when things calm down and see if the problem disappears.

The first Mac problem I've not been able to fix in 25+ years of Mac'ng!! Quite annoying but it doesn't seem to be affecting anything.

Patrick

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Incorrect Number of File Hard Links.